The U.S. payment system is in the midst of a significant transition. Some of the changes to our payment system, involving its efficiency, the risks inherent in the payment process, and the role of the private and public sectors in the payment mechanism, are the subject of considerable debate and controversy. In recent years, the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond has played an active part in the development and implementation of policies to improve the payment process. The Bank's operations staff has represented the Federal Reserve System in work with the banking industry to help shape and implement programs to increase efficiency and reduce payment risk. Further, our Research Department has made payment system research an important part of its agenda. The mix of practical experience and research has resulted in a unique perspective on payment system issues that led us to organize a symposium on the U.S. payment system, held on May 25-26, 1988, in Williamsburg, Virginia. Reflecting our belief in the importance of combining both practical experience and theory in addressing payment issues, we invited practi tioners, scholars, and policymakers to share their ideas. The symposium provided an opportunity for those researchers who are studying p- xi PREFACE xii ment issues to present their ideas and to have these ideas evaluated by experienced practitioners."

The U.S. payment system is in the midst of a significant transition. Some of the changes to our payment system, involving its efficiency, the risks inherent in the payment process, and the role of the private and public sectors in the payment mechanism, are the subject of considerable debate and controversy. In recent years, the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond has played an active part in the development and implementation of policies to improve the payment process. The Bank's operations staff has represented the Federal Reserve System in work with the banking industry to help shape and implement programs to increase efficiency and reduce payment risk. Further, our Research Department has made payment system research an important part of its agenda. The mix of practical experience and research has resulted in a unique perspective on payment system issues that led us to organize a symposium on the U.S. payment system, held on May 25-26, 1988, in Williamsburg, Virginia. Reflecting our belief in the importance of combining both practical experience and theory in addressing payment issues, we invited practi tioners, scholars, and policymakers to share their ideas. The symposium provided an opportunity for those researchers who are studying p- xi PREFACE xii ment issues to present their ideas and to have these ideas evaluated by experienced practitioners."

This paper surveys 130 studies that apply frontier efficiency analysis to financial institutions in 21 countries. The primary goals are to summarize and critically review empirical estimates of financial institution efficiency and to attempt to arrive at a consensus view. We find that the various efficiency methods do not necessarily yield consistent results, and we suggest some ways that these methods might be improved to bring about findings that are more consistent, accurate, and useful. Secondary goals are to address the implications of efficiency results for financial institutions in the areas of government policy, research, and managerial performance. Areas needing additional research are also outlined.